New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1887-01-26
AGAINST FATHER DONNELLY
ST. STEPHENS PARISH UP IN ARMS.

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manner In which he closed the church doors Mon
day night by the aid of the police. His action was
denounced by even the most conservative members OF
the congregation many of whom declared that he
coud not now remain pastor under any circumstances
Said orc OF the most influential members who has
irainea from expressing an opinion before:
Arather Donnelly has done nothing but make blum
ders ever since he came here but his action on Mon
day night was the worst of all The people are deeply
ncensed anu they don't get over it at all. Here we
nave oeen paying our money for years and years only
to flnd at last that we have say about the
onurcn property than the man in the moon. don't
thnk tne catholics Of this city bad a strk
ing Illustration OF the undemOcratic character Of their
Church government. Who built this structurel Not
Father Donneliy, not Archbishop Corrigan, but tho
2OOOO parishoners Of St. Stephens and yet one of
these men steps in and closes the boasts that
he VIII Keep the place locked up long he pleases
trated in N-w-Yorkb
Another gentleman who has been On official in tho
church. declared that Father Donnelly would have to
leave ST. stephens and added: If he does not fear
that he will sustain bodily injury and that the church
property VIII be burned or injured by some of the
the people so stirred up and have lived among them
| nearly all my life. Donney has made enemies of
everybody. lie Eas not tried to conciliate make
peace lie Is insulting In his manner and has about
disguised everybody that has been unfortunate enough
to come in contact with him. Besides, he acts In
cowardly manner in not daring to ont of the
rectory last night aud show himself the altar on
Sunday. The best thing that Archbishop Corrigan
can do is to take him away aud let Dr. Cnrran run
/
ccllent pastor The idea of putting a man like him,
who was ucated at Rome unoer Donnelly. who a
few years ago was dry-goods clerk Ia saying this
am sure that voice the sentiment of the parish"
Many others talked in similar strain Nor is this
feeling confined to the parish alone Prominent Cath
ocs throughout the city expressed themselves dis
gusted with the way i'll which the affairs of st.
stephen had been managed by the new pastor. The
attendant at the Cathedral. could not have selected
worse man for the work. Father Donnclly, you
know, cutercd the priesthood late in life He never
al that training which the ordinary Catholic Clergy
gets. and he lacks the ability get along with
people He can't do it, He is grabbed and constitu-
tonally disagreeable. Why, when his own brother.
Edward +. DOnnclly, of ranmany Hall. lied he would
not allow any one TO attend tho funeral In fact, If |
remember aright he had policemen on hand TO keep
the crowd away So II at the funeral of his other
brother who held the Office of deputy controller for
time. have known Father Donncly for twenty years,
and not surprised to hear that he has raised such
a row in ST. stephens In justice to Archbishop Cor
rgan II should remembered that none of the other
prominent priests would take DR.. McGlynn's place.
Almost any of them could get along niocly with the
people"
A member Of ST. Stephens who lives In Madison
stated yesterday that he would withdraw at
unless Father Donuey removed. He was
ashamed To zee tic church III ide such scene OF excite
ment. Let DIR. Curran take hold" he added, and
you'll the people hocking IN with their money and
in Sunday make mp all they have kept back; but
not while Donncly remains.
The question has been raised whether Father DON
nelly had the legal ri 4ht Ia clos the church doors as
he did. IL that lie has. 81. Nt"phens, ike
most thu other Catholic churches of the city, except
those owned Ly Pausts, uomincans and other orders
or colleges controlled by board OF five trustees.
These consist OF the Archbishop and the Ncar-General
of the diocese. the pastor and the lay members
the congregation The title OF the property Is vested
in this body and all mortgages are given by IT, Father
siding tho Archbishop. these three constitute
majority OF the board and can do about what they
please St. patrcks Cathedral Is managed differently.
Here the board trustees consists OF nine lay members
with the Archbishop ~ president, but most OF the
other churches are governed as stated. 40 long hs
Father McGlynn remained pastor the majority OF the
trustees the side OF the congregation, as IL
WERE aud hence his removal necessary In order to
get control of the building.
The church was opened yesterday morning but no
macs was celebrated until o'clock Maggie Creegan
aud Dr. McGlynns other female friends hand
early and seemed greatly rcoced TO find that OF
the iora decorations OF DR.. McGlynns confessional
box had been disturbed 10y the police. In the alter
the late pastor- confession box upstairs in the
main audience room was also decorated and n photo
graph taken OF it a the expense OF the admripg parish
toner's. Mary H9gan still proudly holds possession
OF the doctors private in the rcctOry. and
that she will continue DO in spite OF all opposition
Father Donnely kept within doors and denied all re-
quest. or interview. Many OF the congregation are
grieved because the light in front of the holy
mcut has been allowed TO go out through the careless
ness OF the pastor.
All the arrangements have been completed for the
Central Labor Mon ma-s-mectng TO protest against
the spension OF Father McGlynn. The Academy OF
Music has been engaged Tor Sunday night, and an
effort will be nude to have both Father McGynn and
Henry George present. Many speeches will be made
bv well-known labor leaders who will discuss the ques
ton from the labor standpoint
Father DOnnelly entered the church basement last
evening ABOUT $50. There re about fifty worship
pers present mostly women He seemed t. fear that
there would be An attempt made to hold another mass
meeting for he at once began closing up the place,
rcmara ing he did 80 that thee money to pay
gas bills. Approaching old lady, he laid his hand
gently on her arm and said: my good lady won't
you and the rest please go out We are going to
close up things"
The woman dung of his and with great indigna
ton said " Take your hand of me. Don't touch me
say You come from the County Kildare and so do ],
but you are disgrace TO it. Go way from me-
Finding his peaceful efforts without avail he adopted
vigorous by starting TO turn out the gas
But here again he was thwarted by the indignant
parishioncrs As fast he turned out one burner 1t
would be relightcd by OF the women. After try
ing in vain 10 keep ahead OF them he gave up IN dis
gust and went up to Captain Ryans. The Captain was
out. The priest asked tor the locksmth presumably
to get duplicate keys for the locks, but Sergeant
Fitzgerald could not give him any information about
the man. He went back 10 the rcctory where ne was
met by the reporters and asked If the report was true
that he 90 back to ST. Mchaes and that Father
Curran to have charge of ST. Stephens. He de-
clned TO say anything but good might DIR. Curran,
however, stated that he had heard nothing about the
alleged change, could anything be learned at the
Archbisnops palace In reference To IT, There seemed
however, to be general feeling that such transfer
About $50 Father Donnelly again went into tho
church basement. which by this time was fariy
crowded with people No sooner was he visible than
smiled and held out bis hand TO her, saying "Comc
now shake Lands let be friends and forget all that
Is past.' But Maggie woud not b conciated She
put her hands behind her back FL never shake
bands with you. Father Donney until you start back
to where you belong Then I'll do 1t with pleasure
she said.
"Wel maybe will go before long" he replied, with
something OF sigh.
"Go tomorrow" returned Maggie, "and well have
Il cab for you and give you grand goodbye
swell, perhaps I'll do So said he with laugh as
he started upstairs to tho main
Mind you do.' .he called after him, and dozen
other women joined her Some of them advised hum
to 20 to another place than ST. Michaels but he did
not pause 10 answer rebukc them. The church was
closed up shortly niterward but before the lights were
put ont Mary lialligan lit OF the candles on the
large altar IN front OF the Holy Sacrament, which hnd
been allowed to 20 ont bee ause the sacrstan Joined
the ranks ot the Strikers the friends OF Dr. Nc
Glynn call themselves.
The parishioners committee was in private session